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 "I began donating platelets in April 2004 so I could help those in need, like we once were..."
Sandy Gray's daughter Samantha was sick with cancer. "In May 2001, the week of Mother's Day, our 13-monthold daughter was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma."
Neuroblastoma is an aggressive cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. Sami's tumor was so large in her abdomen that it appeared as though she was pregnant. The biopsy revealed that the cancer had spread to her bone marrow which classified the disease as stage four. According to Sami's physician, Neuroblastoma is a rare disease with unknown causes. At the time, there were about 500 cases of Neuroblastoma a year, generally affecting children under the age of five. The survival rate is approximately 30%.
Sami had all of her treatments at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, (CHOP.) Those who donated platelets or blood products between May 2001 and March 2002, helped save Sami's life. Her protocol included five cycles of high dose Chemotherapy, six hour surgery, two stem cell transplants, 10 radiation treatments and six months of oral Accutane. She completed her last dose of medication and went into remission on September 7, 2002.
During Sami's treatments, her blood levels were monitored daily. She had an IV tube called a broviac catheter surgically installed in her chest so nurses could access the line at anytime. The broviac enabled Sami to receive the chemotherapy, medicines, fluids and blood products she needed to survive.
To have a tube sticking out of a one-year 1/2-old chest was quite intimidating. Even at a young age, Sami knew not to fool around with the tube. Sandy remembers, "we pinned the tube to her shirt to avoid mishaps. Worse than the fear of her pulling out the tube, there was a constant concern of an infection in the line." Sami's temperature was always monitored because a fever is a sign of infection which could travel through the line and cause complications of the heart.
Sami's first admission into the hospital was 4 weeks long. During that time, Sandy researched and made arrangements to donate blood. It was hard for her to dedicate time to donate blood because she was Sami's primary caregiver. "When I realized I wouldn't be able to donate for Sami, I knew that when Sami was well I was going to pursue blood donation to help others."
In 2004, with Sami well, Sandy made a commitment to donate platelets at least 4 times a year. "I knew I would have to dedicate a few hours because the center is an hour drive from my house and the apheresis process from registration to refreshment, is usually 2 hours long."
Sandy is able to view this as 2 hours of her time compared what the patient is going through. "I have lived through this with Sami." Without platelets, a patient experiences side affects like poeteakeye, nose bleeds, brain bleeds, and possible stroke. This is one of the reasons why platelet donations are so important. During the year of treatment, Sami received 34 units of platelets.
Today, Sami's only visible signs of her illness are the scars of surgery and her brightly colored hearing aides. There are many side affects of chemotherapy. The drugs which end in "platin" cause damage to the tiny cells in the inner ear that can not be repaired or re-grown. Sami has permanent severe to profound hearing loss in the high tones in both of her ears. With hearing aids, Sami can hear the sounds she previously missed.
Sami is also developing skills to speak those sounds. She recently graduated from a public school Pre-Kindergarten program for early intervention. Thanks to blood donors, next year she will attend a main stream Kindergarten class.
Sami continues to have follow-up visits to CHOP. Doctors will monitor her throughout her life for secondary issues related to her treatment which includes heart, kidney and other problems.
Sandy is greatful to the platelet donors who helped save Sami's life. "The American Red Cross and I thank you for your platelet donations. I hope you think of patients like Sami next time you go to donate blood. This will remind you of why you are giving up your time." Everyday, people choose to give their time and that's what makes it so special".
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